Nine people rescued from rubble of building in Azerbaijan’s Khirdalan (UPDATE 4) (PHOTO)

Nine people have been rescued from the rubble of the building struck by an explosion in Azerbaijan's city of Khirdalan Sept.8, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

Currently, the search and rescue operations are underway for the people who may be trapped under the rubble, according to the ministry.

An explosion occurred in a five-story building in the city of Khirdalan of Azerbaijan's Absheron region, according to the information received by the 112 hotline of the country's Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The building reportedly was under construction.

Following the blast, a rescue team arrived at the scene. The cause of the explosion is yet unknown.

Emergency medical care told Trend two people were treated by the doctors at the scene, and sent to a hospital afterwards.

The ambulance station employees of the city treated five more people at the scene.
A nine-year-old boy was also rescued from the rubble and was hospitalized.